Shop Indie: Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle

Upcycling is a great option for creative folks to treat the planet more gently. This process of reclaiming discarded materials to create new products is one way makers can reduce the waste that comes from making your work. As the Big Cartel shop owners in this gift guide demonstrate, there are so many ways to unleash the potential in objects otherwise destined for the landfill. Deckstool makes functional furniture out of retired skateboards. Alchemy Dyes turns thrift-store tees into tie-dyed masterpieces. Fobots combines a variety of found objects into robot sculptures pulsing with personality. CourtneyCourtney creates one-of-a-kind clothes from vintage and thrifted fabrics (check out her companion shop CatneyDogney for awww-inspiring pet clothes). Check out those shops and more inspired upcycling below.

Forest ferns tunic dress by CourtneyCourtney

Stripy pencil necklace by Zincwhite

Wallet made from recycled cement bag by Malia Designs, sold by Craft Alliance

Recycled skateboard barstool by Deckstool

Zombie Food Pyramid tie-dyed tee by Alchemy Dyes

Upcycled denim jacket by Rebuckled

Acrylic starburst necklaces from i am acrylic

Upcycled floral rooster African patchwork crop top by Laurent Desgrange Paris

Rudy Volley sculpture from Fobots

Upcycled MEND IT darning yarn by notanotherhat, sold by The Crafty Squirrel